Promising 2013 Spring Gobbler Season May Be Around Corner

The cool spring so far throughout much of Pennsylvania may lead to increased gobbling for hunters planning to take part in the state’s spring wild turkey season.

The state’s one- day youth spring gobbler season is April 20, and will run from one-half hour before sunrise until noon. The general spring gobbler season is April 27 to May 31, with the traditional noon closure for the first two weeks – through May 11, and from onehalf hour before sunrise until onehalf hour after sunset the remainder of the season, beginning May 13. Hunters who purchase a second spring gobbler season license may harvest up to two bearded turkeys, one per day. Second tags must be purchased by April 19; they’re available from any licenseissuing agent.

“Unlike last year’s warm early spring weather, which triggered an early start to gobbling, this year’s cooler-than-normal March and early April have suppressed gobbling activity,” explained Mary Jo Casalena, Pennsylvania Game Commission wild turkey biologist. “The arrival of warmer temperatures will bring more gobbling activity, and just in time for the spring turkey season.

“Our research has shown that, although weather affects gobbling, it does not affect the onset of egglaying by hen turkeys,” Casalena said. “Rather, photoperiod, the amount of daylight, triggers it. And, similar to previous years, the hen turkeys that are equipped with radio transmitters are on course to begin incubating their nests as the spring turkey season opens. We open the spring gobbler season around the peak of nest incubation to minimize hen disturbance and mistaken kills. Nesting hens are less prone to come to a hunter’s call and abandon their nests.”

Another good sign for turkey hunters is that gobblers appear to have weathered winter well. “Gobblers are in good condition this spring, despite the cold winter, because of abundant mast in most of the commonwealth – excluding the southwest counties, Casalena noted “That could mean those healthy males may just continue gobbling and looking for mates throughout the hunting season. That will make the coming season a very special time to be afield!”

Game Commission Game-Take Survey results show spring turkey hunting has become so popular that, since 2000, there now are more spring turkey hunters (227,000) than fall turkey hunters (158,000). Spring harvests average 34,000 to 39,000 bearded birds, while fall harvests average 14,400 to 20,200 birds of either sex.

“Pennsylvania has become a dream state for spring gobbler hunters, both for residents and out-of-staters, and not only because we manage one of the most prolific wild turkey populations in America,” noted PGC Executive Director Carl G. Roe.

During the second half of the season, hunter participation decreases significantly and nesting hens are less prone to abandon nests, that’s why all-day hunting over the last two weeks of season is less likely to impact nesting. Moreover, the opportunity it provides to hunt woods occupied by few hunters is appreciated greatly, particularly by veteran callers and hunters who can’t get afield earlier in the day because of work or school.

The 2011 spring gobbler season was the first year of all-day hunting during the second half of the season, and the overall harvest has not increased from previous harvests. Since 2011 afternoon harvests comprise 6 percent of the total reported harvests and 22 percent of harvests during the all-day portion of the seasons. During the all-day portions of the seasons, 78 percent of the harvests occur by noon. For the afternoon segment, the majority of the harvest occurs between 6 and 8 p.m.

The Game Commission will continue to monitor the afternoon harvest in relation to population trends and age class of gobblers to gauge any impacts from all-day hunting. In the 49 states that conduct turkey seasons, 34 have allday hunting for all or part of the season, including Maryland, Ohio and Virginia.

Casalena encourages spring gobbler hunters to spend time scouting, which always plays an important role in hunter success, especially for those experienced older toms.

“Scouting improves hunters’ chances, especially if they line up multiple locations for the spring season,” Casalena said. “Learning several gobblers’ favorite strutting areas also is helpful for determining the best in-season setup. This requires early-morning, pre-season scouting, but the potential inseason reward is worth it. Prior to the season, however, hunters should consider not using turkey calls to locate gobblers, because it will educate birds and cause them to be less inclined to respond to the early-morning calls of in-season hunters.”

Casalena also noted the importance of patience while hunting. “Last spring I wanted to move on a gobbler, but my hunting partner insisted on waiting,” she said. “Luckily I heeded his advice. Three gobblers finally came within gun